Research on how people, markets, and policies shape the economy. Covers labor and gig work, consumer behavior, GDP and regional growth, gambling risk, and financial decision-making.
Researchers at INRS discovered a compound that alleviates some neurological symptoms of CHARGE syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting 1 in 10,000 newborns. The treatment targets GABAergic neurons and shows therapeutic effects on both neurological and behavioral symptoms.
Two compounds, (-)-geosmin and 3-methyl-1H-indole, are found to be primary contributors to the musty and moldy scents of cocoa beans. Measuring their amounts within cocoa beans could help detect off-putting scents and flavors.
A new study published in the Journal of Financial Economics found that restricting internet searches for investors can lead to increased stock market instability. The research, conducted by RMIT University, discovered that firms regularly searched on Google were 19% more unstable after Google's withdrawal from mainland China in 2010.
The Brownfields Assistance Center at West Virginia University has helped communities resurrect once lifeless properties since 2006. The Center's expertise and guidance have enabled neighborhoods in the Mid-Atlantic region to transform brownfields into community assets, generating economic opportunity and jobs.
Researchers argue that targeted policies and incentives are needed to promote perennial bioenergy crops over cheaper options, reducing nitrogen runoff and improving water quality. In contrast, a cellulosic ethanol mandate with the right policies could provide substantial economic and environmental benefits.
Researchers at Skoltech propose a new methodology for analyzing startup growth, leveraging Google Trends' big data. The approach enables building accurate and real-time data-driven growth paths for startups, offering an X-ray scan into technology-based ventures.
Materials researchers at Saarland University are working with companies like Dillinger and RWTH Aachen University to develop customized steel grades for offshore wind farm monopiles. The goal is to improve welding processes and reduce production time while maintaining mechanical properties.
A study maps COVID-19 health disparities in Greater Santiago, finding three times higher mortality rates in low-income areas due to limited access to testing and healthcare. The research also reveals striking disparities between high and low socioeconomic-status municipalities.
Cities with well-connected job networks and high employment diversity are more resilient to economic shocks, according to a study. The researchers found that cities with limited job connectivity, such as the size of a city, have higher unemployment rates during economic crises.
A new Stanford University-led study estimates that single-family homes in floodplains are overvalued by nearly $44 billion collectively, with the average home losing around 2% of its value. The study suggests that inadequate disclosure laws and unaware buyers drive up financial risks, which could destabilize the real estate market.
A new research chair led by INRS Professor Monique Lacroix aims to develop standardized natural antimicrobial solutions for ensuring food safety and quality. The project will investigate the stability, interactions, and applications of various natural extracts and bio-based technologies.
A new analysis suggests China needs to reduce carbon emissions by over 90% and energy consumption by almost 40% to achieve the 1.5°C target, with industry being the main emission contributor. The study also highlights the need for more research on economic consequences of working towards this goal.
Researchers identified a new cognitive bias, 'generosity-erosion effect', where evaluators tend to become harsher after scoring one candidate generously. This effect decreases the likelihood of success for subsequent candidates by 7.7%.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center and economists at the University of Dallas found that consistent use of food pantries can improve food security, health, and well-being. The researchers calculated a 10 percentage-point increase in pantry visits led to a 5.7% reduced likelihood of food insecurity.
A team of scientists has identified key odorants responsible for musty and moldy-smoky cocoa flavors using a molecular sensory science concept. The research provides an objective method to assess fermented cocoa's sensory quality based on odorant concentrations, benefiting the food industry with reliable identification of off-flavors.
Researchers simulated the COVID-19 epidemic's trajectory and found that even modest increases in evictions could lead to thousands of excess cases in Philadelphia, highlighting the need for renter protection policies to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
The withdrawal of federal regulation on smaller transboundary waters has left individual states with the responsibility to fill in the gaps, but evidence suggests this may not lead to desired outcomes. Research highlights the flaws in the 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule's economics analysis and the failure to account for economic...
A new study has identified the transcriptome and proteome of Scrobiculariaplana, a bivalve used as a bioindicator for pollution. The database provides insights into molecular functions related to stress response mechanisms under pollution, helping to better gauge the effects on marine ecosystems.
A new study suggests that pandemic eviction bans reduced infection rates and protected not only evicted individuals but also entire communities from the spread of COVID-19. The researchers found that without eviction bans, people who experience eviction or live with evictees have a higher risk of being infected, increasing transmission...
A new Stanford University-led study uses AI and satellite imagery to locate and monitor hard-to-regulate industries, such as brick kilns in Bangladesh. The approach reveals that over three-fourths of kilns are illegally constructed near schools, and the government under-reports kilns with respect to regulations.
Researchers found that age, social and economic class, and access to resources are more influential than urban density in spreading COVID-19. Urban districts with lower income and older populations were more at risk for the disease despite having low density.
A study by University of California - Davis found that meatpacking plants doubled per capita infection rates in affected counties, while chicken-processing plants increased transmission rates by 20 percent. The estimated costs to rural economies exceed $11 billion.
Research reveals that family financial stress in midlife is associated with a depleted sense of control, related to increased physical pain in later years. Financial strain can lead to health conditions like physical pain, physical limitations, loneliness and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers have identified a connection between perivascular fibroblast cells and ALS disease onset, suggesting a correlation between elevated protein marker SPP1 levels and aggressive disease process. This discovery has potential implications for earlier diagnoses and future treatments.
The four CNRS 2021 Innovation Medal laureates have developed diverse projects, from ecological engineering to sustainable chemistry and regenerative medicine. Their work has led to significant technological innovations, such as marine ecological engineering platforms and micro-magnets for hybrid-electric vehicles.
A new exhaust gas abatement system has been developed to detoxify dangerous gases used in device manufacturing processes. The system uses arc plasma heat source to reduce the amount of energy required for processing, resulting in an energy savings of up to 75%.
A new study reveals coral reefs offer over $1.8 billion in annual flood protection to US coastal communities, preventing 100-year flooding zones from increasing by 23% and impacting 53,800 more people. The US has 200 miles of high-value reefs worth millions per mile.
A new study reveals that disease can alter social networks and economic growth for generations, with high diffusion networks promoting growth in low-disease countries but hindering it in high-disease environments. Small initial differences in epidemiological environment can trigger large and persistent differences in network structure,...
The project aims to determine the mechanism of Neisseria pathogenesis to find innovative treatments. The researchers will use high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics, and infection models to study the genetic modifications and their roles in adaptation.
A comprehensive analysis of the molecular signatures of aging across diverse tissue cells in mice reveals coordinated global aging behavior. The study identifies shared aging genes and develops a single-cell aging score, shedding light on the complex aging process in different types of cells.
New research from Duke University suggests that the SEC's growing emphasis on terrorism disclosures may come at the expense of financial reporting oversight. The study found that when SEC comment letters included references to terrorism, the agency's error-detection rate dropped significantly.
Research finds large US companies with more foreign employees are more likely to shift income to low-tax jurisdictions and face lower IRS scrutiny. This helps them substantiate economic substance of transactions, increasing likelihood of defending aggressive tax planning activities.
In a study published by Ohio State University, men are more likely to be designated as the most knowledgeable about household finances, especially in wealthy households. The study found that among households in the top 1% of net worth, husbands were designated as the most knowledgeable in 90% of the households.
A study from McMaster University found that while people want to improve their mental health through exercise, stress and anxiety often get in the way. The researchers discovered that individuals who reported higher psychological stress and moderate levels of anxiety were less motivated to engage in physical activity.
Researchers developed an AI framework to estimate battery health without interrupting operation, considering operating conditions and chemistry. The model can quantify uncertainty in predictions, supporting operating decisions.
Microbial populations in the deep subsurface are driven by host rock mineral composition, forming 'hotspots' of life. The study found that iron-rich minerals are preferred colonization sites for biofilms.
Researchers propose policies that provide assistance to farmers in poorest regions could reduce poverty while increasing environmentally friendly practices. Mobile technology improves access to these resources, helping local governments identify individuals seeking alternative livelihoods.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan have developed guidelines to use wood-based pulp mill fly ash as an economically sustainable low-carbon binder for road construction. The use of untreated PFA reduces energy consumption and produces low-carbon emissions, making it a safe raw material for environmental applications.
A University of Tennessee project received two awards for excellence in risk management education, providing financial and marketing strategies to Tennessee farmers. The project was evaluated on outcomes, audiences reached, impacts, and quality of communications.
The WHOI and NOAA have released a report on the socio-economic effects of harmful algal blooms in the US, highlighting gaps in current estimates and research. The report recommends improving methods for assessing impacts and fostering greater collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and communities affected by HABs.
A team of scientists has successfully genetically modified eucalyptus trees to prevent sexual reproduction, reducing the risk of invasive spreading in native ecosystems. The CRISPR Cas9 gene editing technique was used with nearly 100% efficiency to knock out LEAFY, the master gene behind flower formation.
A global study has revealed that aquatic invasive species have caused significant economic losses, with an estimated $345 billion in damages since the 1970s. The study found that the largest costs were reported in North America and Asia, mainly due to damage to infrastructures, fisheries, and healthcare systems.
Across most of the western US, dry periods between rainstorms have become longer and annual rainfall has become more erratic over the last 50 years. This is according to a new study that used actual rainfall data from 337 weather stations, revealing changes in drought length and rainfall patterns.
A study by LSU Health New Orleans identified how Zika virus disrupts neuronal development, leading to microcephaly and blindness. The research team found that a molecular motor called Kinesin-5 is targeted by the Zika protease, which causes cell division disruptions and loss of function.
A unique head-mounted mini-microscope device has enabled researchers to image complex brain functions of freely moving mice in real time over a period of more than 300 days. The device, known as the mini-MScope, allows holistic imaging of much of the mouse brain surface and captures connections between regions across the cortex.
A recent study published in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors found that 80% of Americans with resolved drug problems report significant personal achievements, including self-improvement, family engagement, and civic participation. These achievements accumulate over time and are associated with greater happiness and quality of life.
Approximately 40,000 children in the US may have lost a parent to COVID-19, facing trauma, depression, and economic insecurity. The researchers suggest equal national efforts are needed to provide supports and counseling to these vulnerable children.
A new method to predict lumber prices has been developed by a professor at Oregon State University, using readily accessible economic information. The study found that variables such as housing permits, inventory of homes, and mortgage rates can explain about 46.8% of log price variation.
A recent study of over 2,000 companies found that those facing financial constraints can recoup significant amounts by modifying their tax strategies. The researchers discovered that these firms generated an average of 19% of their investment shortfall through tax planning, with some even receiving one-time benefits like R&D expenses.
A University of Illinois project aims to improve youth health data literacy through a two-year program. Fifteen teens from across the state will participate, conducting needs assessments and presenting findings to local audiences.
Researchers have created the first in-vitro patient-derived 3D organoid models of nasopharyngeal cancer, enabling them to predict optimal radiation treatment doses. These models mimic the hypoxic radioresistant sub-volumes of recurrent NPC and have shown that radiation dose escalation can improve treatment outcomes.
A recent study found that nearly 60% of adult patients who needed hospitalization for injuries eventually returned to work. However, they often faced significant challenges, including increased rates of food insecurity, physical disability, and difficulty accessing healthcare. The research team analyzed data from the National Health In...
A proof-of-concept study shows that animal DNA can be collected from air samples, enabling new ecological and health assessments. The technique has potential applications in forensics, anthropology, and even medicine, such as understanding airborne diseases like Covid-19.
A new study by William Bazley found that using the color red to represent financial data affects individuals' risk preferences, expectations of future stock returns, and trading decisions. The effects are not present in people who are colorblind, and they're muted in China, where red represents prosperity.
A recent study estimates that invasive species have caused at least $1.288 trillion in economic losses globally since 1970, with costs tripling each decade.
A new analysis reveals that biological invasions have caused over $1.28 trillion in economic damage globally since 1970. The study highlights the urgent need for effective management policies to mitigate the rising costs of invasive species, which are projected to increase by trillions of dollars in coming years.
A new map of oil palm extent in Southeast Asia provides critical information for policymakers and stakeholders, allowing for sustainable production and forest conservation. The map's high accuracy enables calculations of greenhouse gas emissions and removals, as well as verification of official statistics.
A new AI-driven data system identifies potential problems early on and proposes corrective action, helping companies become more resilient to malfunctions and disruptions. The system analyzes vast volumes of digital data to forecast machine issues and predict maintenance needs, enhancing productivity and market success.
A study by researchers from Russia, Germany, and Switzerland found that natural resources decrease income inequality in countries like Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands. These nations' developed democracies and transparent market economies hindered the concentration of control over resources, preventing an increase in inequality.
A recent study from Cornell and Tufts universities reveals that water scarcity is a globally connected phenomenon, with local conditions having reverberations across the globe. The research found that global trade dynamics and market adaptations to regional water scarcity result in positive and negative economic outcomes for every regi...